Photo: WSL/Andrew Shield
Simmers and Medina Win at Cloud 9
Caity Simmers (USA) and Gabriel Medina (BRA) claimed historic victories at the inaugural Philippines Pro Presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, Stop No. 11 of the 2026 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT). In what was the 30th year of Cloud 9 hosting an international surfing event, it was by far the biggest, and Siargao did not disappoint, dishing up flawless four-to-six-foot-plus barrels for the world’s best to dine out on. After four epic days of competition, the stage has been set for the CT to head to the ‘proving ground’ of Hawaii ahead of the Lexus Pipe Masters, where the 2026 World Champions will be crowned this December.
Medina Grabs 18th CT Victory As He Eyes Off 4th World Title
After a year out of competition in 2025 and three runner-up finishes already in his comeback year, three-time WSL World Champion and Olympic Medalist Gabriel Medina (BRA) has claimed his first event victory in over three years today at Cloud 9. Medina put on a performance to remember, coming from behind in multiple heats with huge turns, massive airs, and long technical tube rides to become the first men’s CT winner at the Philippines Pro. Today’s win has put Medina into the second spot heading into the World title showdown next month at the Lexus Pipe Masters in Hawaii.
“This means a lot to me. I’ve been trying so hard all year long, traveling with all of my crew. I really wanted to win one event this year, and after a few second-place finishes, I just kept believing,” Medina said. “It’s been fun, though. The journey is fun. I wasn’t expecting that this would be an event I could win because it’s a hard wave to surf. Especially going against the guys I have, they are so gnarly out here. I’m just so happy to get this win. I’m just happy to have a shot at it. This year is my comeback year, so to be at it with Filipe (Toledo), Italo (Ferreira), Griffin (Colapinto), and Yago (Dora) all year long has been amazing. I can’t wait for Pipe; it’s going to be fun. I’m just so happy to get the win; it’s a lot of work all year long, so good to get one all the way at the end.”
Photo: WSL/Andrew Shield
It was an exciting matchup in the Final as Medina took on Cloud 9 standout Jack Robinson (AUS), who had been looking ominous all week in the hollow, slabbing tubes. Robinson took an early advantage, posting two mid-range scores to take an early lead, but left Medina with Priority to take a bomb. On one of the bigger waves of the day, Medina pulled in deep, holding his rail as the wave threw over for multiple sections as the goofy-footer threaded section after section before flying out of what was undoubtedly the longest and best tube ride of the event to post a near-perfect 9.43 (out of a possible 10). Medina then held a solid lead with a two-wave total of 16.93 (out of a possible 20), and although Robinson fought back with his own excellent ride, he didn’t have the backup to get the job done, leaving the superstar Medina to claim his 18th CT victory.
“Jack (Robinson) is so gnarly out here, and he’s been getting crazy barrels this week, so I knew it would be hard. He’s been the standout in this contest for sure,” Medina continued. “I know he’s been having a tough year, and I’m happy to see him back in the Finals. You have to always believe. Before the final, I just knew I had to focus on myself and just get the good ones. Then I got the best wave of my entire time here in the Philippines, in my heat, so I was happy with that, and it felt good. I took off on that thing and just wanted to be deep. I could see it sucking, and then the foamball came over, and I couldn’t see a thing and just trusted the wave, and then just came out, which felt really good. This wave looks pretty and perfect, but it’s really challenging, especially as a goof, but overcoming a challenge like this makes you stronger. I have been waiting all year for this win, and I’m so happy. I knew it was going to come. Talking about a title just makes me confident and makes me believe in the title and the next event. I love the pressure.”
Simmers Claims First Win of 2026 Season to Reenter Title Conversation
Caity Simmers (USA) has claimed her first event win of the 2026 season at the inaugural Philippines Pro. Simmers looked to be one of the women to beat all event with her trademark tube riding and committed turns, earning some of the biggest scores of every round this week. It was a tough road to the final for Simmers, as a collision with opponent Yolanda Hopkins (POR) in her Quarterfinal resulted in an unintentional interference call and seven stitches to her ankle. It was a breakthrough victory for the 2024 WSL World Champion, who, before today, had only managed one event win from five finals since the start of the 2025 season, but with back-to-back Finals in Portugal and the Philippines, Simmers has shot up into third place on the rankings and well and truly into the world title conversation ahead of next month’s championship showdown at the Lexus Pipe Masters.
Photo: WSL/Andrew Shield
“Coming here from Portugal was so back-to-back that my brain was so busy trying to work on things to change, and that was really overwhelming,” Simmers said. “What really kept me grounded and happy was spending time in the ocean and spending time with my mom. I’m just so grateful for those two things. This is also one of my favorite waves in the world, and I was almost in tears paddling out for the Final because I could really feel the love from everyone watching from the water. It was a really beautiful moment, and I kind of let go of my attachment to winning or losing, and just focused on surfing.”
Photo: WSL/Matt Dunbar
In the Final, Simmers took on an in-form Isabella Nichols (AUS), who was returning from an ankle injury of her own. Simmers kept busy throughout the matchup, pulling into multiple tubes and belting multiple sections without being able to ride out, spending a lot of time underwater. Nichols, on the other hand, posted a solid score early and stayed patient, just needing another similar score to post the winning score. In the end, it was the busy approach that paid off, with Simmers finding a backup wave to post her winning heat total of 12.00 points from two tidy tube rides, securing her 8th CT victory.
“My approach is new and different because I’m feeling much more confident this year,” Simmers continued. “This is my fourth year on Tour, and I’m feeling really comfortable now. My goal right now isn’t to go and win it (The World title); I feel like I’ve already accomplished my goal, which is to be able to be in a place and be grateful and thankful for the beauty of it. I’m just so grateful.”
Aussie Duo Nichols and Robinson Claim Confidence-Building Runner-Up Finishes at Cloud 9
After undergoing ankle surgery just six weeks ago and missing the last two events of the season, Isabella Nichols (AUS) made a last-minute decision to travel to the Philippines and see if she was able to make a heat or two to ensure she holds onto her spot on Tour coming into 2027. The decision paid off as Nichols was able to make it all the way to the Final to claim her second runner-up finish of the season, posting some of the best scores of the event for some impressive tube riding and rail surfing at Cloud 9. Although she fell short of claiming her first event win since Bells in 2025, her third event in a row in the Semifinals and back-to-back Finals have filled Nichols with confidence heading into the last event of the year and the 2027 season.
“I came here to try and get a couple of points and dip my toe in the water,” said Nichols. “And for me to be in the Final, I’m just blown away. Thanks to the Philippine Government for having us, and to all the fans, you guys have been absolutely amazing. We love you. Congrats to the other finalists. It’s been an amazing event. Thanks to all of my support crew, including local legend Nilbie Blancada, for all of your help.”
Photo: WSL/Matt Dunbar
For Jack Robinson (AUS), this runner-up finish and overall performance were a major turning point in what has been a tough season for the perennial title threat. Before today, Robinson had only made it to the Quarterfinals once in 2026, a massive drop-off for someone who averages two event wins a year. The 27-year-old Australian moves inside the Top 10 in the rankings for the first time this year and will look to continue to build momentum to end the season at one of his pet events, the Lexus Pipe Masters, with another solid result, as he shifts his focus to a title tilt in 2027.
Photo: WSL/Matt Dunbar
“Jack’s Back; it’s good to be back,” Robinson said. “It’s been an amazing week with great vibes, and it was an honor to share the Final with Gabe (Medina). I was having a lot of fun out there, especially going up against Gabe in the final. We’ve had two finals in Tahiti before, so I was like, let go. It’s exciting to build some momentum and find my way back into a final. Now it’s on to Pipeline, let’s go. Thanks to everyone for all of the support and for welcoming us all; the vibes have been so good.”
Up Next: The Lexus Pipe Masters
The Lexus Pipe Masters holds a competition window from December 8 to 20, 2026.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
Philippines Pro Presented by the Philippine Sports Commission Women’s Final Results
1 - Caitlin Simmers (USA) 12.00
2 - Isabella Nichols (AUS) 10.77
Philippines Pro Presented by the Philippine Sports Commission Men’s Final Results
1 - Gabriel Medina (BRA) 16.93
2 - Jack Robinson (AUS) 14.50
Philippines Pro Presented by the Philippine Sports Commission Women’s Semifinal Results
HEAT 1: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 9.43 DEF. Carissa Moore (HAW) 5.67
HEAT 2: Isabella Nichols (AUS) 10.17 DEF. Tyler Wright (AUS) 7.00
Philippines Pro Presented by the Philippine Sports Commission Men’s Semifinal Results
HEAT 1: Jack Robinson (AUS) 16.63 DEF. Ethan Ewing (AUS) 16.00
HEAT 2: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 15.76 DEF. Yago Dora (BRA) 13.50
